US attacks third merchant vessel with Indian crew; MEA says strong protest registered

New Delhi: The US military attacked a third merchant vessel with Indian crew members onboard, off the coast of Oman this week, with a common thread emerging of the vessels switching off their automatic identification system (AIS) and refusing to identify themselves and their crew members when hailed.

Indian crew members from MT Janveer had to be evacuated on Thursday after it came under fire from the US forces for allegedly trying to dodge a blockade of Iran, raising fresh protests from India. Three Indians have already been killed in the strikes while several others were rescued in coordination with Omani authorities.

It is learnt that the US is willing to assist and ensure the safety of Indian crew members if the vessel identifies itself and shares information with military authorities.


Also read: US military confirms attack on third Indian-crewed tanker off Gulf of Oman

Pointing to the case of Botswana flagged oil vessel, Skywave Legacy, sources said the ship with Indian crew members was seized by the US in the Indian Ocean for alleged links to Iranian oil transfer. However, the Indian crew members were safely repatriated to India through Port Blair as the vessel identified itself as well as the nationality of its crew.

MEA has strongly condemned attacks on ships with Indian sailors and has registered a protest with the US, expressing deep concern.

The US Central Command said that two Hellfire missiles were fired into the engine room of Guinea-Bissau flagged M/T Jalveer "as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman". The US has disabled nine vessels since April 13, with three of the attacks taking place just this week. "A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces," a US release stated.

Also read: Trump cancels Iran strikes after high-level peace talks, blockade to continue

EVACUATION, RESCUE

Indian officials said that 20 Indian crew members from MT Jalveer were evacuated on Thursday after the vessel came under attack off Oman's Shinas port. Earlier, the Palau-flagged MT Settebello also came under attack off the Oman coast, with 21 Indian rescued and three confirmed dead. On Monday, all 24 Indian crew members of Palau-flagged MT Marivex were rescued in coordination with Omani authorities following a missile attack by US forces in the same region.